Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Issues News Release on Complaints

1. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission was constituted with the aim of raising and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens in accord with the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and its office is kept open at No. 27 on Pyay Road in Hline Township of Yangon […]

Using the Law as a Weapon to Silence Legitimate Protestors

On 13 August, Naw Ohn Hla, a leading woman activist from Rangoon, gathered in Monywa, Sagaing Region, with over 50 local villagers to call for the suspension of the controversial Chinese-backed Letpadaung Copper Mine and to amend the 2008 Constitution. After a tense stand-off, police moved in to arrest Naw Ohn Hla and 9 other protest leaders, forcefully pulling them into the back of police trucks. Naw Ohn Hla was seized so violently that her clothing was partially pulled off. She and the other activists are currently being held in Monywa No. 1 police station.

On 29 August, Naw Ohn Hla was found guilty of disturbing public tranquility under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and sentenced to two years in prison with hard labor. Her lawyer said she boycotted the hearing because “she does not have faith in the judicial system.” Naw Ohn Hla remains to be tried under Section 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law for allegedly holding a protest without permission. She did in fact request official permission prior to the protest, but was refused […]

Upper House approves Human Rights Commission Bill

The Upper House Parliament has approved the controversial Human Rights Commission Bill on August 28.

The bill, proposed by the Presidential Office Deputy Minister U That Shin, has been severely criticized by social organizations […]

Civil Society’s Concerns on Draft MNHRC Law Must Be Adequately Addressed

Dear U Shwe Mann,

The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), a network of 30-member organizations from 17 countries across Asia writes to you concerning the latest developments on the founding legislation of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) […]

25 Years On, Freedom of Association Remains an Illusion

On 27 July, the Public Affairs Management Committee published the draft Association Law with a notice calling for comments and recommendations. The 9 August deadline to send comments allows so little time for recommendations that it makes it almost meaningless. Civil society organizations quickly reacted to the draft bill by publishing a statement endorsed by 87 organizations. The statement rejects the draft law and calls for any discussion in the Parliament to be suspended in order to allow sufficient time for broad and meaningful consultations.

Similarly the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) draft law was published on 7 July following similar proceedings. Again, the draft law was immediately tabled in the Parliament, limiting time for consultations and recommendations by civil society organizations.

The draft Association Law violates people’s right to freedom of association. The law must be almost entirely redrafted if it is to comply with international legal standards. In its current form it serves no other purpose than perpetuating government’s control over civil society […]

Civil Society Recommendations on the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law

On August 2, 38 civil society organizations, community-based organizations and networks from Burma send to Thura U Shwe Mann, Union Parliament Speaker, recommendations and proposed amendments to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) draft law in order to ensure the MNHRC’s independence […]

Parliament Must Delay Deliberation on the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law

The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) Law will be discussed in the Upper House of Parliament on Monday 29 July 2013. The draft legislation was published in the state-run newspaper The Mirror on 7 July 2013, giving less than one month for civil society and the public to provide recommendations […]

President Urges MNHRC, IFG to Work Together with Government to Protect Country’s Image

President U Thein Sein urged the Interfaith Friendship Group and Myanmar National Human Rights Commission to cooperate with the government and to take responsibility for image the country not to be tarnished as it is found that the conflict between the two communities in the country is being exaggerated as racial and religious conflict between the two communities and regional and international issues in an attempt to bring it to the UN […]

Myanmar: National Human Rights Commission Recommends Ratifying Key Human Rights Treaties

ARTICLE 19 welcomes Myanmar’s National Human Rights Commission’s recommendation that the government ratify the two most significant international human rights treaties. The strong stance adopted by the Commission is noteworthy due to its closeness with the government […]

Universal Declaration of Human Rights text from English to Myanmar

On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act, the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and “ to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational Institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.” […]